TOWN OF BERKSHIRE

REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 11, 2001

 

     THE TOWN OF BERKSHIRE TOWN BOARD HELD THEIR REGULAR MEETING ON DECEMBER 11, 2001  IN THE TOWN HALL.

     MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M. BY SUPERVISOR HARTWIG.

WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

  MEMBERS PRESENT WERE: RICHARD ODOM, WILLIAM SIMMONS, JAMES CEURTER SR., AND MAX LEONARD.  ALSO PRESENT WAS KARL SPOONHOWER,  SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS.

     CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, WERE:  BOOKKEEPER WARRANT TOTAL TO READ $5,027.05 AND THE HIGHWAY WARRANT TOTAL TO READ $14,518.07.   ALSO THE “END OF YEAR MEETING DATE WAS TYPED AS 12-01-01 AND IT SHOULD BE 12-31-01.  MOTION TO ACCEPT THESE CHANGES WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY WILLIAM SIMMONS.  5 AYES, 0 NOES.  CARRIED.

 

            COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS:

 

1.       PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF OCTOBER WERE RECEIVED AND LEFT FOR FILING.

2.       NYMIR FINANCIAL CONDITION—NO FINANCIAL TIES TO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.  FINANCIALLY SOUND.  GOOD NEWS!

3.       BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASED BY 15%.

4.       SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSTRUCTION VOTE:  DECEMBER 18, 2001.

5.       JUSTICE COURT FUND:  RETURNS FROM N Y S  $3,525.00.  )THE PERCENT                        

OVER TAKE IN—NO CLUE).

6.       NEW OFFICALS TELECONFERENCING—SUPERVISOR HAS INFORMATION IF INTERESTED.

 

            REPORTS:

 

A.     CO. LEGISLATOR—ABSENT                                                                                                             

B.     CO. PLANNING BOARD—ABSENT

C.     HIGHWAY DEPT:  WILL RUN AD OFFERING TO CHIP YOUR OLD CHRISTMAS TREES TAKEN TO SHEDS,  ARE CUTTING TREES AND CHIPPING  ON CEURTER AND SHAFF ROADS, DUMPING CHIPS ON OLD DUMP AVAILABE TO YOU IF YOU WANT THEM.

HAVE FILLED POT HOLES ALL OVER TOWN.

D.     CODE ENFORCEMENT—JOE READ REPORT AND LEFT IT TO BE FILED.

E.      PLANNING BOARD—JAMES LACEY-  PLANNING BOARD DOESN’T MEET IN DECEMBER.  ARE NOW WORKING ON THE UPDATE OF THE BUILDING PERMIT ORDINANCE.

     MOTION BY SUPERVISOR HARTWIG TO AMEND THE ORDER OF THE  AGENDA  ALLOWING THE HWY. SUP’T. TO  DISCUSS ITEM #1 UNDER “NEW BUSINESS”—PROPOSED HIGHWAY  GARAGE ADDITION, SECONDED BY WILLIAM SIMMONS TO CHANGE THE AGENDA AT THIS TIME.  5 AYES, O NOES.  CARRIED.

      THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIGHWAY MEN WILL BUILD A COLD STORAGE

      TYPE SHED, NO DOORS, DIRT FLOOR, THE BACK WILL BE METAL.  CLOSE IN       

      AND INSULATE IN FUTURE AND THEN ADD HEAT.  THE REASON IS TO HOUSE   

      ALL EQUIPMENT—NOT GOOD TO  STORE IT OUTSIDE. 

        CAN DO THIS FOR  $6,000.

        WE HAVE THE MONEY IN THE HIGHWAY BUDGET TO DO THAT THIS YEAR.  UNFORTUNUATEY  THE GARAGE AND ADDITIONS TO MODIFICATIONS OF  ARE GENERAL BUDGET ITEMS.   IN THE GENERAL BUDGET IT IS MUCH EASIER TO FIGURE  BECAUSE THEIR ARE LESS VARIABLES, IS A LITTLE TIGHTER THAN IS THE HIGHWAY BUDGET.  HOWEVER, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS,  WE COULD MODIFY OR ADD TO THE GENERAL BUDGET  IN  THE AMOUNT OF $6,000.  WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE THAN THAT LEFT IN THE HIGHWAY BUDGET WHICH WILL GO INTO FUND BLANCE.  WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY WORK OUT.     

BY LOOKING AT CASH FLOW AND DISCUSSING WITH BOOKKEEPER TODAY WE MAY HAVE JUST ABOUT $6,000. IN GENERAL BUDGET.  THE GARAGE LINE ITEM EXCEPT FOR TODAYS PURCHASE OF 1000 GALLONS OF FUEL  HAD ALMOST $4,000. IN IT.  CONTINGENCY LINE WITH $1,500. WHICH IS UNUSED AND A FEW OTHER ODDS AND ENDS THAT  HAVE MONEY AVAILABLE IN GENERAL BUDGET.  NOT MUCH,. BUT A LITTLE BIT. IF WE GO WITH  THIS FURNACE BUSINESS.     

 

        MOTION BY RICHARD ODOM TO GO AHEAD WITH BUILDING, SECONDED BY

WILLIAM SIMMONS.  5 AYES, 0 NOES.  CARRIED.  START TO BUILD SOON.

        NEED TO GET THREE AUDITABLE  VENDOR QUOTES FOR COMPARISON     COSTS.   AND MUST HAVE THE BILLS IN  FOR THIS YEARS BUDGET.                                          F.  TOWN CLERK—REPORT PASSED.

G.     DOG CONTROL—BRAD WALKER IS BACK AND DOING HIS JOB.  SOME LATE DOG LICENSES NEED TO BE LOOKED AT.  CLERK TO GIVE UPDATED LIST TO BRAD.  WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THE TOWN A SHELTER SIMILAR TO STRAY HAVEN—BUT NEED TO SEEK A VET TO ADMINISTER THE DESTROYING OF THE ANIMAL.  NONE ARE AFFORDABLE TO US AS YET, NO PROPOSAL FOR 2002 AS .  MORE TO COME ON THIS.

H.     COMMITTEE REPORTS:  RICHARD ODOM HAS NOTHING TO REPORT ON THE HIGHWAY.  LOOKS GOOD.  JAMES CEURTER HAS TO MAKE COPIES ON THE 2000 AUDIT FOR THE COLLECTOR AND THE CLERK.  WILL HAVE 2001 DONE BY THE DEC. 31, 2001 MEETING ALSO.

I.        SUPERVISOR—PASSED CASH FLOW REPORTS ALONG WITH UPDATED CD LISTINGS TO THE BOARD.  ALL LOOKS GOOD AT THIS TIME,  FOR 2002 NEWARK VALLEY HAS , BUT RICHFORD HASN’T PAID ON THE STATE POLICE BARRACKS, AND A SALES TAX CHECK HAS BEEN RECEIVED FOR 2001. EXPECT TWO MORE BY END OF YEAR.  CHIPS CHECK RECEIVED.

THE NEW JUSTICE HAS OPENED A BANK ACCOUNT AT DRYDEN (MORE CONVENIENT FOR HER). HAVE RECEIVED A GRANT  FOR THE JUSTICE  COURT  HAVE PURCHAED SOFTWARE  DESIGNED FOR  JUSTICES, COSTING $4,100.   WILL MAKE HER JOB EASIER.

DENNIS WHITTAKER KEEPS THE WEBPAGE UP-TO-DATE.  THE CLERK WILL COPY THE MINUTES FOR DENNIS AND THEN HE CAN UP DATE THE WEB PAGE.

Ø      NEWSLETTER—D. WHITTAKER WILL TAKE CARE OF KEEPING THE ADS

STRAIGHT.  BILL MORRIS KEEPS TRACK OF ALL HALL RENTALS AT THE FIRE STATION.

Ø      M. SIMMONS --FIRE CHIEF--  A NEW STATION IS NEEDED, THE OLD ONE IS       

      TOO SMALL, ROOF LEAKS, DOORS NOT INSULATED HAVE HAD TO REPLACE

       HEAT IN THE BACK PART.   LOOKING AT A T SHAPED 12,000 SQ. FT.(6 BAY  

 

       IN FRONT, OFFICES IN MIDDLE, AND  MEETING ROOM IN BACK.  LOOKING   

       TO BRING  WHOLE STATION UP TO SAME LEVEL SO WATER DOESN’T RUN

       IN THE  BACK PART.

 

              OLD BUSINESS:

 

1.  FROM NOVEMER MTG.:   SCOTT SMITH & SON  HAD SUBMITTED A LEGAL DATED BID THAT WAS ON THE SUPERVISOR’S DESK BUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT A COURT SESSION WAS IN PROGRESS IN THE SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE, THIS BID WASN’T RECOVERED UNTIL THE NEXT DAY BY RICHARD ODOM AND THE SUPERVISOR.  THE  SUPERVISOR WISHES TO INCLUDE THE BID NOW.  THIS BID IS LEGAL AND VALID.   THE BOARD HAD TABLED THIS ISSUE UNTIL DECEMBER MEETING AND TO CHANGE SPECS. AND GET QUOTES ON A PROPANE FIRED FURNACE.

     BEFORE THE DECEMBER MEETING:   THE TOWN BOARD  CHANGED SPECS. FORM AN OIL TO A  PROPANE FIRED FURNACE AND AT THE SAME TIME TALKED ABOUT REDUCING REQUIREMENTS THAT WE ASKED FOR IN  OUR ORIGINAL SPECS. FOR OIL  FIRED AND THE SUPERVISOR PERSONALLY CONTACTED THE THREE BIDDERS AND ASKED THEM TO SUBMIT ANOTHER BID ON AN OIL FIRED FURNACE MEETING OTHER SPECS. AND SAID “THE HOT WATER SYSTEM THAT WE SPEC’D.OUT IS VERY EXPENSIVE , NICE BUT EXPENSIVE BY ABOUT $1,000. THAT WAS ADDED TO THE COST, WE DON’T HAVE HOT WATER NOW,  AND IF AND WHEN WE NEED IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE.”  GET AN INDEPENDENT SYSTEM (ELEC. HOT WAATER OR ON DEMAND HEATER, ETC.)  WOULD FULLFIL OUR NEEDS.  CHECKED WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND HE TOLD THE BOARD THAT AN OUTSIDE VENT WAS EXPENSIVE BUT NOT NECESSARY.   SUPERVISOR ASKS THE THREE BIDDERS TO RESUBMIT QUOTES WITH THSES CHANGES.

     THE BIDS ARE:  PROPANE FIRED:

 

           SCOTT SMITH & SON  $4,834.00

    SCOTT ALBRECHT      $6,250.00 

    J& K PLUMB & HEAT. $6,699.00

 

THE BIDS ON REDUCED SPEC’S  OIL FIRED ARE:

 

    SCOTT SMITH & SON     $3,634.00

    SCOTT ALBRECHT         $4,650.00

    J & K PLUMB & HEAT     NO BID

 

THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE LOWEST BID WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY JAMES CEURTER.  5 AYES, 0 NOES,  CARRIED.

 

AWARD WENT TO SCOTT SMITH & SON. FOR $3,634.00

    

  1. REAP LDC VACANCY--  JAMES CEURTER  WILL ATTEND TOMORROWS MEETING AND WILL LET THE BOARD KNOW ON THE 31ST. IF HE IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A REP.
  2. MOBILE HOME REVISION  LAW —JAMES CEURTER QUESTIONS THE FACT THAT UNDER VARIANCES EVERYONE  IN THE TOWN OF BERKSHIRE SHOULDN’T HAVE TO COME BEFORE THE TOWN BOARD THAT HOUSE A EMPTY TAILER ON LOT.

 

MOTION MADE BY MAX LEONARD TO ACCCEPT THE MOBILE HOME REVISION LAW AS PRESENED, SECONDED BY RICHARD ODOM.  ROLL CALL VOTE:  HARTWIG—AYE, ODOM—AYE, SIMMONS—AYE,  CEURTER—NAY, LEONARD—AYE.  4 AYES , 1 NAY.  CARRIED.

 

              NEW BUSINESS:

 

  1. PROPOSED HIGHWAY GARAGE ADDITION— NEED TO CHECK ON COMMERICAL BUILDING STATUS BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION.
  2. DOG LICENSING REVIEW--  GET AN UPDATED LIST OF DELINQUENT LICENSES TO BRAD.

 

PUBLIC TO SPEAK:  NO HIGHWAY PROBLEMS ARE TO BE BROUGHT TO BOARD—GO TO SUPERINTENDENT.

J LACEY—MUCH WORK INTO MOBIL HOME ORDINANCE VARIANCES CAN BE DONE

LAST MEETING WITH AN AUDIENCE—THANKING MAX FOR ALL THE YEARS OF SERVICE. “MAX STANDS TOAY WHERE HE STOOD YESTERDAY AND WILL TOMORROW”.  MAX TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 1990.

 

APPROVAL OF WARRANTS:

GENERAL FUND  #47-50  $538.27, HWY #188-202  $3,455.53 AND BOOKKEEPER $3,251.14  MOTION TO ACCEPT THE WARRANTS AS AUDITED WAS MADE BY RICHARD ODOM, SECONDED BY MAX LEONARD.  CARRIED.

 

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:30 PM. BY MAX LEONARD, SECONDED BY WILLIAM SIMMONS.  5 AYES, 0 NOES.  CARRIED,

 

RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED:

 

 

CONSTANCE M. LIDDINGTON

TOWN CLERK